Lana, 2004, charcoal, 24 x 18. Collection John and Penelope Adams.  All works by Casey Baugh.

Pivotal moments in my life have often—to take a line from Ernest Hemingway—come "gradually, then suddenly." Nothing appears to be on the horizon, but then a few things fall into place, then a few more, and suddenly I'm in a whole new situation. It's often the same for artists who begin showing their work publicly. Prior to that, they may have been working in their studios and occasionally showing their art to family and friends, but entering work in competitions or showing as part of an exhibition can cause people to take notice in the best of ways.

	Little Ben 2004, charcoal, 20 x 16. Collection Mark and Ann Caldwell.

Casey Baugh pursued web design in Georgia before he relocated to Massachusetts and began studying with artist Richard Schmid. In 2005, Baugh won the Drawing magazine Cover Competition. In 2008, he was a finalist in the American Artist Cover Competition, and in that same year he was the subject of a feature article in Workshop magazine. Since then, Baugh has received numerous accolades, chosen a gallery to represent him, and he continues to pursue and perfect his artistic process.

Baugh's approach to drawing is loose, with forms appearing almost incidentally from abstracted backgrounds. With charcoal, he supplants the drawing of line with establishing realistic tone. He also stretches himself to manipulate the medium in unexpected ways. "I push it to create effects that serve my vision," he says. "I don't limit my tools to the common charcoal pencil and eraser-instead, I seek new ways of putting on the charcoal."

Pursuing one's artistic practice isn't about the attention that it garners. But the positive momentum an artist receives from an audience, editors and critics, and fellow artists can help that artist make significant strides in his or her craft and career. The cover competitions for American Artist, Watercolor, and Drawing magazines are taking entries until August 31, 2010. Check out the prizes, and rules and regulations here. And for more inspiration and resources to sharpen your drawing skills, Drawing magazine is available, filled with artist profiles and in-depth discussions that you won't find anywhere else.

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